How difficult is Loch Fell?

Loch Fell carries a 3/5 (moderately challenging) grade on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Count on about 12km, 500m of ascent and a 3-6 hour day on the standard route. Underfoot: Boot-flattened sheep paths weave between bog cotton and old peat hags.

What is Loch Fell's prominence?

126m of prominence. That's the vertical drop from the summit to the col that links Loch Fell to the next higher ground.

Where do I park for Loch Fell?

Most walkers start from NT173059. Verify the grid reference on an OS map before you set off — space is tight on busy summer weekends.

When is the best time to climb Loch Fell?

March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November give the most reliable conditions on Loch Fell. Beyond that window the high ground turns wintry: carry full mountain kit, be confident navigating, and check the SAIS avalanche forecast for the area.

Is Loch Fell dog-friendly?

Yes, but dogs must be kept on a lead — there is livestock or ground-nesting bird interest on the route.

By the OutdoorSCOT editor

Photo: Richard Webb / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph

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Donald · Borders

Loch Fell

Loch Fell crowns the small group of hills west of the Ettrick Pen plateau, looking down to the quiet hollow of Loch of the Lowes and Saint Mary's Loch. The top is barely a swelling on a broad grassy roof, marked by a wee pile of stones north of the watershed fence.

Quick facts

Height: 688.3m/ 2258ft
Prominence: 126 m
Distance: ~12 km
Ascent: ~500 m
Time: 3–6 hrs
Difficulty: 3 / 5Strenuous
Grid ref: NT170047
Parking: NT173059
Nearest city: Dumfries· 34km
Dogs: Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗

Height and prominence cross-checked against the Database of British and Irish Hills (CC BY).

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Standard route

grass moorland 80% · heather patches 15% · summit area 5%

12km · 500m ascent · 3.2 hrs

Most ascents start from Tushielaw or the Berrybush road, taking a long forest break onto the open ridge. Around 12km return with 500m of climb. Often combined with Wind Fell to its east.

Terrain

Boot-flattened sheep paths weave between bog cotton and old peat hags. The fence on the watershed is the dependable navigation feature.

In winter

Heavy drifting in the leeward bowls north of the summit when wind comes off the Solway. Frozen peat hags become brutal travel; in a thaw the whole upper plateau turns to a porridge.

Kit for this: the winter Munro kit list · which boots take crampons

Outside the SAIS network. No Scottish Avalanche Information Service forecast covers Loch Fell. SAIS forecasts six areas only — Northern and Southern Cairngorms, Creag Meagaidh, Lochaber, Glencoe and Torridon — and this hill is outside all of them, so there is no avalanche forecast to read for it. In winter, use MWIS Southern Uplands ↗ for mountain weather, judge snow stability from first principles, and treat any cornice or wind-loaded slope with extra caution.

Best time of year

Best OK Avoid

Getting there

Glasgow2h 47m
Edinburgh2h 40m

Parking: NT173059

OS maps: OS Landranger 79

Mobile signal: Strong summit reception; EE works well. Southern Uplands moorland viewpoint.

Current conditions

Daylight Today

11h 51mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 07:41
Sunset: 18:18
Civil dawn: 07:04
Civil dusk: 18:55

NOAA Solar Calculator · 14 October 2026

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Around Loch Fell on the SCOT network

Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.

On TripSCOT

station

Getting there: Tweedbank station

Borders Railway terminus; Eildon Hills, Melrose, Tweed Valley

49km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

Before you go

Hillwalking carries real risk and the responsibility for any day on the hill is yours. Conditions in Scotland change fast and can differ sharply from the forecast — check the weather and the ground before you commit, turn back when the day stops working, and carry map and compass with the ability to use them rather than relying on a phone.

The distance, ascent and time shown on this page are editorial estimates for the usual line, not measurements from a recorded track — that is what the ~ means. Treat them as a rough shape of the day. Your own pace, the conditions and the exact line you take will all move them.

Mountain forecasts: MWIS and the Met Office mountain forecast. Access rights and responsibilities are set out in the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.

We check what we publish, but we cannot check the route on the day you walk it. Nothing here is a substitute for your own judgement.

Loch Fell — common questions

How difficult is Loch Fell?: Loch Fell carries a 3/5 (moderately challenging) grade on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Count on about 12km, 500m of ascent and a 3-6 hour day on the standard route. Underfoot: Boot-flattened sheep paths weave between bog cotton and old peat hags.
What is Loch Fell's prominence?: 126m of prominence. That's the vertical drop from the summit to the col that links Loch Fell to the next higher ground.
Where do I park for Loch Fell?: Most walkers start from NT173059. Verify the grid reference on an OS map before you set off — space is tight on busy summer weekends.
When is the best time to climb Loch Fell?: March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November give the most reliable conditions on Loch Fell. Beyond that window the high ground turns wintry: carry full mountain kit, be confident navigating, and check the SAIS avalanche forecast for the area.
Is Loch Fell dog-friendly?: Yes, but dogs must be kept on a lead — there is livestock or ground-nesting bird interest on the route.
Is there mobile signal on Loch Fell?: Strong summit reception; EE works well. Southern Uplands moorland viewpoint.
Is Loch Fell safe in winter?: Heavy drifting in the leeward bowls north of the summit when wind comes off the Solway. Frozen peat hags become brutal travel; in a thaw the whole upper plateau turns to a porridge.

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